Machine for filling liquids in containers in vacuum



June 17, 1952 w. K. CABOT 2,600,391

MACHINE FOR FILLING LIQUIDS IN CONTAINERS IN VACUUM Filed Dec. 22, 19472 SHEETSSHEET 1 07 0" 02. 1 wind 65 Mall,-

ATTOR EY W. K. CABOT June 17, 1952 MACHINE FOR FILLING LIQUIDS INCONTAINERS IN VACUUM Filed Dec. 22, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ATTORNPatented June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES TENT ()E'FHCE MACHINE FOR FILLINGLIQUIDS IN CONTAINERS IN VACUUM Application December 22, 1947, SerialNo. 793,112

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a machine for filling liquids, such assyrups and the like into containers or cans and has particular referenceto devices for filling measured charges of the liquid into cans whilemaintaining the cans under vacuum.

An object of the invention is the provision of a machine for fillingliquids into cans wherein the filling of the liquids into the cans iseffected while a partial vacuum is continuously and simultaneously drawnon the interior and exterior of the cans so that flow of the liquidsinto the cans is facilitated while collapse of the cans is prevented.

Another object is the provision of such a liquid filling machine whereina partial Vacuum is drawn on the liquid measuring chamber while incommunication with a can to facilitate flow of liquid for a subsequentcan into the measuring chamber and to build up a pressure above areceived measured charge of liquid to facilitate its discharge into thesubsequent container.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a liquid filling machine embodying theinstant invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal plan section taken substantially along the brokenline 2-2 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1,with parts broken away;

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional details of parts of the machine,the two views showing certain of the parts in different positions, withparts broken away; and

Fig. 6 is a exploded perspective view of certain of the parts shown inFigs. 3, 4 and 5, with parts broken away.

As a preferred embodiment of th instant invention the drawingsillustrate principal parts of a continuously operating machine, in whichrectangular shaped, fibre containers A having metal bottoms, preferablyof the type used for packaging frozen food products, and filled with aproduct, are treated to a syruping operation, although the invention isequally well adapted to both metallic or non-metallic containers of anyshape and to complete liquid filling operations, if de-v sired.

The containers enter the machine in an upright, on-end position, asshown in Fig. 1 with their top ends open and are brought intocommunication with a closed vacuumizing chamber where the interior andthe exterior of the containers are subjected to a vacuumizing treatment.A vacuum of preferably 14 inches of mercury is drawn on this chamber,although the invention is equally well adapted to other degrees ofvacuum, if desired. Any product within the containers is simultaneouslysubjected to this vacuumizing treatment.

This vacuumizing treatment is effected while a container is travelingalong a curved path of travel and while the vacuum is continuously drawnon the chamber. During this advancement of the container, it is filledwith a measured charge of syrup which has been previously segregated ina measuring chamber. Thus the filling is effected while a vacuum isdrawn on the container, both inside and outside. This provides for easyfiow of the liquid into the container and thus expedites the fillingoperation.

At the completion of the filling operation, the emptied measuringchamber is vacuumized by communication with the vacuumizing chamber.This vacuumizing of the measuring chamber provides for rapid inflow ofliquid from the reservoir into the chamber for a subsequent container.During this measuring of a charge of liquid for a subsequent container,the container already filled with liquid is discharged to any suitableplace of deposit for sealing. This completes the cycle of operation ofthe machine.

The containers A to be syruped, enter the machine by way of a horizontalrunway I I (Fig. 2) and are advanced in spaced and timed order by acontinuously rotating screw conveyor I2 having trunnions I3 journaled inbearings it formed on a frame l5 which constitutes the main frame of themachine. The conveyor is rotated in any suitable manner in time with theother moving parts of the machine.

Beyond the screw conveyor l2, the containers are further advanced alonga curved portion of the runway H, by a continuously rotating star wheel11, mounted on a vertical shaft l8 journaled in a long bearing formed inthe main frame- I5. The shaft may be driven in any suitable manner intime with the screw conveyor l2.

The machine end of the runway ll terminates adjacent a wide opening 2|(Fig. 2) in a stationary cylindrical housing 22 which extends up fromthe main frame I5 and which contains a rotatable turret 23 having aplurality of spaced pockets 24 formed in its outer periphery. The turret23 rotates in a close fitting seat 25 formed in the housing. This turretis mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft 26 (see also Fig. 1)which is journaled in a long bearing 21 formed in the frame IS. Theshaft is rotated continuously in time with the entrance star wheel I! bya spur ear 28 which is mounted on the lower end of the shaft and whichmeshes with and is driven by a gear 29 (Fig. 2) carried on the lower endof the star wheel shaft 18.

The timing of the rotation of the turret 23 and the entrance star wheelll is such, that as a pocket 24 of the turret passes the terminal end ofthe entrance runway H in the opening 21 of the housing 22, the starwheel I! pushes a container A into the passing pocket as best shown inFig. 2 and the container thereafter is carried forward by the turret.The container is retained in the turret pocket against displacementtherefrom by the curved seat 25 in the housing 22 which acts as a guidefor the container.

As soon as a turret pocket 24 and its container A is within the housing22 where it is sealed from the outside atmosphere, the rotating turret23 advances the pocket and its container into communication with avacuumizing chamber 30. This chamber is formed in the inner surface ofthe housing 22 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and extends for slightly morethan half way around the chamber.

A low vacuum of substantially 14 inches of mercury as hereinbeforementioned is constantly maintained in this chamber by means of a vacuumpipe 3| which is in communication with l the chamber. One end of thispipe is threaded into the housing 22. The opposite end leads to asuitable source of vacuum. It is the maintenance of this vacuum in thechamber that vacuumizes the container, its contents, and the 33 in thetop of the tank provides for replenishl ment of the liquid in the tank.

Measuring of the liquid before filling into the containers is efiectedby a plurality of measuring chambers 34 which are formed in a deepflange 35 surrounding and formed on the tank 32. There is one of thesemeasuring chambers 34 for each pocket 24 of the turret 23 and they arelocated directly above the pockets in vertical alignment with thecontainers in the pockets. A plurality of inlet ports 36 formed in thetank 32 near its bottom and located one opposite each measuring chamber34 communicates with the chambers near their lower ends and provides fortransfer of the liquid from the tank to the chambers.

The volume of the measuring chambers 34 may be altered as desired tosuit the quantity of liquid to be filled into the containers. For thispurpose each measuring chamber 34 is provided with a manually adjustablecap 31 which is threadedly engaged in the tank flange 35 at the top ofthe chambers. Each cap is formed with a long, hollow sleeve 38 whichextends down into the chambers adjacent their inner surfaces. By turningthe caps 31, the sleeves 38 may be ver-- tically adjusted in themeasuring chambers 34 and thereby increase or decrease the volume 01'the chamber in accordance with the quantity of liquid desired to befilled into the containers.

Provision is made for segregating a measured charge of the liquid in themeasuring chambers 34 prior to discharging this liquid into thecontainers. This segregation of the liquid is brought about by anormally stationary cylindrical valve 4! (Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6) which isrotatably located in the bottom of each measuring chamber. Each valve isformed with a pair of oppositely disposed actuating arms 42, 43 whichextend beyond the outer periphery of the flange 35 of the tank 32. Theouter end of the arm 42 carries a short upright actuating pin 44 whichis engageable with a stationary tapered valve closing cam 45 secured tothe housing 22 (see Fig, 3). In like manner, the outer end of the arm 43carries a long upright actuating pin 46 which is engageable with astationary tapered valve opening cam 41 secured to the housing 22. Theshort pin 44 is adapted to pass under the cam 41 without interference(see Fig. 6).

Below the valve actuating arms 42, 43 the valve 4| extends down into abearing aperture 5! (Fig. 6) formed in the top of the turret 23 directlyover each pocket 24. Adjacent each bearing aperture 5| on opposite sidesthereof the turret 23 is formed with a pair of liquid discharge channelsor ports 52 which communicate with a cone shaped nozzle 54 secured tothe turret within each pocket and in alignment with the container in thepocket. The nozzle is formed with a discharge orifice 55 located at theapex of the cone. Within the measuring chamber 34 each valve 4! isformed with a discharge port 55 which is disposed opposite a dischargeport 51 formed in an inlet cut oil shoe 58 which extends up from the topof the valve (see Fig. 6).

In one position of the valve 4|, as shown in Fig. 4 and at the left inFig. l, the valve ports 56, 5'! are out of registry with the turretchannels 52, and the inlet cut off shoe 58 of the valve is out ofregistry with the inlet port 36 in the tank. With the valve in thisposition, liquid from the tank 32 flows into a measuring chamber 34 andfills it to capacity While simultaneously compressing above the measuredcharge of liquid the small amount of air permitted to remain in thechamber by virtue of its communication with the vacuumizing chamber 30following a previous filling operation as will be hereinafter explained.The valve is in this position and filling of the liquid into themeasuring chamber is taking place when a container to be filled isplaced in the corresponding turret pocket 24 of the turret as describedabove.

When the container to be filled, reaches the vacuumizing chamber 30 andtravels adjacent this chamber sufficiently to become vacuumized to theextent of the vacuum maintained in the chamber, the valve M is turned tosegregate the measured charge of liquid in the measuring chamber 34 andto discharge it into the advancing container. This turning of the valveis brought about by the engagement of its long actuating pin 46 (Figs. 3and 6) against the tapered stationary valve opening cam 47.

As the valve 41 passes the cam 41 during its rotation with the turret23, the actuating pin 46 rides along the cam and is forced inwardlytoward the turret while the opposite short pin 44 is thrust outwardly.This turns the valve, and thus shifts its inlet cut off shoe 58 into aaceaeer position where it covers and closes the inletport 36 asshown inFig. and at the rig-ht in Fig. 1. Thus the flow of liquid from the tank32 is cut oif and the liquid in the measuring chamber 34 is segregatedas a measured charge from the liquid in the tank.

This turning of the valve 41 also shifts its discharge ports 5d, 51 intoregistry with the discharge channels 52 in the turret as shown in Fig. 5and at the right in Fig. 1, and thereby permits the segregated measuredcharge of liquid to flow out through these aligned ports and channelsinto the adjacent nozzle 54. From the nozzle, the liquid flows from theorifice 55. into the moving containers. The compressed air above; theliquid in the measuring chamber and the constantly maintained vacuumwithin the vacuumizing chamber facilitate and expedite this flow of thecharge of liquid into the container.

This filling of a measured charge of they liquid or syrup into thecontainer takes place while the container is traveling throughapproximately 150 degrees of the rotation of the turret 23 as indicatedin Fig. 3. During all of this travel the vacuum is being drawn on thecontainer and the vacuumizing chamber 3!). Near the end of this cycle oftravel, the filling operation is completed and the empty filling chamber34 is vacuumized by reason of its communication, through the alignedports 52, 55, 57 and turret pocket 2%, with the vacuumizing chamber 30.Since only a partial vacuum is drawn in the vacuumizing and themeasuring chambers, a small amount oi air still remains in thesechambers and it is this air in the measuring chamber 34 that is trappedand compressed when this chamber is again filled with liquid for asubsequent container, as hereinbefore mentioned.

At the termination of the filling cycle the turret pocket 26 passes theterminal end of the vacuum chamber 311 and thereby cuts off furthervacuumizing of the container. Simultaneously with this action theprojecting actuating pin 44 of the valve H engages against and ridesalong the tapered stationary valve closing cam (Fig. 3) and this turnsthe valve into the closed position shown in Fig. 4 and at the left inFig. 1. This is the initial position of the valve, in which the ports52, 56, 51 are out of registry and closed and the inlet cut off shoe 58of the valve is in registry with the tank inlet port 3b. Thus the. valve4| is in position to permit refilling of the measuring chamber 34 with acharge of liquid for a subsequent container.

While the measuring chamber 34 is refilling, the filled container A isdischarged from the turret 23. This discharge is brought about by adischarge finger 60 (Figs. 1 and 2 which is located within a recess 6!formed in the turret adjacent each pocket 24. There is one of thesefingers in each pocket of the turret and each finger is carried on pivotpin 62 carried in the turret. The pins extend below the turret and carryon their lower ends, actuating arms 63 having cam rollers 65 whichoperate in a cam groove 66 of a stationary cam 61 formed in the mainframe 15. The cam groove surrounds the turret shaft 26.

Hence as the turret 23 rotates, it carries the fingers 68 with it whilethe cam rollers 65 traverse the cam groove 65. The groove is shaped tokeep the discharge fingers 60, well within the turret pockets 24 in aposition which serves as a rear gage for the containers during the majorportion of the rotation of the turret. However,

is: shaped to. rock the fingers outwardly and this.

pushes a filled container out of its pocket as,

shown in Fig. 2. This discharge of the con.- tainer takes place when apocket 24. passes ad: jacent the wide opening 2| in the housing 22.

The discharged container is received in. the terminal end of a curveddischarge runway H located on top of the frame [5,. The container ispropelled along this runway to any suitable place of deposit forsealing,by a discharge star wheel 52 mounted on a vertical shaft 13 journaled ina long bearing 14. formed on the machine frame. I5. The shaft is rotatedcontinuously in time with the turret 23 by a gear #5 which is carried onthe lower end of the shaft and which meshes with the turret drive shaftgear 28.

In this manner, the containers are filled or syruped while beingcontinuously vacuumized and While passing through the machine in spacedand timed order in a continuous procession.

It is thought that the invention. and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood, from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the; spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being rnerely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A machine for filling containers with, liquid contents, comprising astationary vacuum chamber having means for vacuumizingthe same, a pocketcommunicably connected with saidcham; her for confining a container tobe vaouumized and filled, a liquid supply tank having a measuringchamber communicating therewith, said measuring chamber alsocommunicating with said pocketv for partially vacuumizing the measuringchamber through said pocket from said vacuum chamber, liquid passageports respectively connecting said measuring chamber with said tank andwith said pocket, a valve having a liquid.

5 port therethrough movably mounted between said measuring chamber andsaid pocket, said valve being registrable with said liquid passage portsfor controlling admission of liquid from said tank to said measuringchamber and from the latter 1 to a container in said pocket through saidvalve port, means for successively moving said valve to two positionsrespectively for establishing communication between said measuringchamber and said tank to fill the measuring chamber l whilesimultaneously shutting off communication between the measuring chamberand a container in said pocket, and to fill said container whilesimultaneously shutting off communication between the measuring chamberand said tank, and means for maintaining said container pocket incommunication with said vacuum chamber during both described positionsof said valve.

2. A machine for filling containers with. liquid contents, comprising ahousing enclosing a vacuumizing chamber having means f v uumizin thesame, a turret having a peripheral container holding pocket thereinrotatably mounted in said housing for registry of the pocket with saidchamber to vacuumize the pocket and a container therein, a liquid supplytank rotatable with said turret and having a measuring chamber disposedabove and communicating with said pocket to vacuumize said measuringchamber through said pocket, said measuring chamber having valvecontrolled ports respectively communicating with said tank and with saidcontainer pocket in said turret, a valve movably mounted in saidmeasuring chamber and bodily rotatable therewith for controllingadmission of liquid thereto from said tank and from said measuringchamber to a con tainer in said pocket, said valve having a port thereinregistrable with the port between said measuring chamber and saidcontainer pocket, and means on said housing for moving said valve duringrotation of said turret, whereby to alter nately establish communicationbetween said measuring chamber and said tank and simultaneously shuttingoii communication between the measuring chamber and said containerpocket when said valve is moved to one position, and vice versa whensaid valve is moved to another position by said moving means.

3. A machine for filling containers with liquid contents, comprising ahousing enclosing a vacuumizing chamber having means for vacuumizing thesame, a turret having spaced peripheral container holding pocketstherein rotatably mounted in said housing for registry of the pocketswith said chamber to vacuumize the pockets and the containers confinedtherein, a liquid supply tank rotatable with said turret and having aplurality of measuring chambers disposed above and communicating withsaid turret pockets to vacuumize said measuring chambers through saidpockets, said measuring chambers each having valve controlled portsrespectively communicating with said tank and with a said containerpocket in said turret, a valve rotatably mounted in each of saidmeasuring chambers and bodily rotatable therewith for controllingadmission of liquid thereto from said tank and from such measuringchamber to a container in said pocket, said valve having a port thereinregistrable with the port between its associated measuring chamber andcontainer pocket, and spaced members on said housing for rotating saidvalves during rotation of said turret, whereby to alternately establishcommunication between said measuring chambers and said tank andsimultaneously shutting off communication between the measuring chambersand said container pockets when said valves are moved to one position byone of said spaced members, and vice versa when said valves are moved toanother position by another of said spaced members.

4. A machine for filling containers with liquid contents, comprising ahousing enclosing a vacuumizing chamber having means for vacuumizing thesame, a turret having spaced peripheral container holding pocketstherein rotatably mounted in said housing for successive registry of thepockets with said chamber to vacuumize the pockets and the containerstherein, a liquid supply tank rotatable with said turret and havingspaced measuring chambers disposed above and communicating with saidpockets to vacuumize said measuring chambers through said pockets duringrotation of said turret, each of said chambers having valve controlledports respectively communicating with said tank and with a saidcontainer pocket, a valve rotatably mounted in each measuring chamberfor controlling admission of liquid thereto from said tank and from saidmeasuring chamber to the containers in said pockets, said valve having aport therein registrable with the port between valves during rotation ofsaid turret to establish communication between said measuring chambersand said tank'while simultaneously shutting off communication betweenthe measuring chambers and said container pockets to fill said measuringchambers, and means on said housing for engaging and further rotatingsaid valves during continued rotation of said turret to shut oficommunication between said measuring chambers and said tank whilesimultaneously establishing communication between the measuring chambersand said container pockets to fill said containers while continuing thevacuumlzing of said turret pockets and the containers confined therein.

5. A machine for filling containers with liquid contents, comprising astationary housing enclosing a vacuum chamber having means forvacuumizing the same, a rotatable turret having peripheral containerconfining pockets communicably connected with said chamberrespectivelyfor confining containers to be vacuumized and filled, arotatable liquid supply tank carried by said turret having a pluralityof measuring chambers communicating with said tank and alsocommunicating with said pockets respectively for partially vacuumizingthe measuring chambers through said pockets, liquid passage portsrespectively connecting each of said measuring chambers with said tankand with its associated turret pocket, a rotatable valve having a liquidport therethrough mounted between each of said measuring chambers and anassociated turret pocket, a said valve being registrable with saidliquid passage ports for controlling admission of liquid from said tankto a said measuring chamber and from the latter to a container in saidassociated pocket through said valve port, fixed and spaced means onsaid housing for successively moving said valves in opposite directionsto two positions respectively during rotation of said turret forestablishing communication between said measuring chambers and said tankto fill the measuring chambers while simultaneously shutting oficommunication between the measuring chambers and said container pockets,and to fill said pocketed containers while simultaneously shutting offcommunication between the measuring chambers and said tank, and meansfor maintaining the interior and exterior of said containers incommunication with said vacuum chamber during both described positionsof said valve to succes sively fill said measuring chambers and saidconfined containers.

WALTER K. CABOT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,770,435 Seltzer July 15, 19302,095,960 Bach Oct. 19, 1937 2,285,627 Thompson June 9, 1942 2,359,785Pechy Oct. 10, 1944 2,413,194 Russell Dec. 24, 1946 2,415,109 NorquistFeb. 4, 1947 2,428,598 Weaver Oct. '7, 1947

